Polymers of ethylenically unsaturated cyclic ortho esters

ABSTRACT

Ethylenically unsaturated cyclic ortho esters are prepared by the reaction of a hydroxy-substituted cyclic ortho ester such as 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane with acryloyl chloride, methacryolyl chloride, vinylbenzyl chloride or the like. They form polymers, especially random copolymers with styrene and EPDM graft copolymers; the latter are useful in the formation of copolymer-containing compositions with polyesters, polyamides and the like. The copolymer-containing compositions have excellent physical properties and may be employed to compatibilize blends of the same polymers.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 07/645,177 filed Jan. 24, 1991, now abandoned.

This invention relates to new polymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and more particularly to polymers containing cyclic ortho ester functionality.

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in developing polymer compositions which include normally incompatible polymers. Examples are compositions comprising linear polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate) in combination with olefin and ole-diene polymers.

It might be expected that various properties of the linear polyesters, such as tensile strength, tensile elongation and impact strength, would be improved by the addition of olefin or olefin-diene polymers. However, the resulting blends exhibit incompatibility as evidenced by gross phase separation and frequently degradation, rather than improvement, of physical properties.

One method of compatibilizing otherwise incompatible polymer blends is to incorporate therein a copolymer, typically a block copolymer, of the otherwise incompatible polymers. Copolymers of this type can be formed by incorporating in one polymer structural units which are chemically reactive with the other polymer. Thus, for example, linear polyesters or polyamides having terminal carboxylic acid groups can undergo reaction with olefin or olefin-diene copolymers containing epoxy groups, either as substituents on the polymer chain or as grafted units. Reference is made, for example, to U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,111. Similarly, amine-terminated polyamides can undergo reaction with olefin or olefin-diene polymers containing integral or grafted maleic anhydride moieties. The resulting block copolymers do not exhibit the indicia of incompatibility which are found in simple blends. Moreover, they are often useful as compatibilizers for blends of the otherwise incompatible forms of the two polymers.

While polymers containing reactive substituents or grafted units such as epoxy and anhydride groups are known, many of them have not met with wide commercial acceptance. One possible reason is the relative chemical inactivity of such polymers, whereupon it is difficult to promote the copolymer-forming reaction to any substantial extent.

The present invention provides a wide variety of polymers, particularly copolymers, of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. These polymers contain highly reactive cyclic ortho ester groups as substituents. Said cyclic ortho ester groups can undergo reaction with numerous other polymers, forming copolymercontaining compositions with excellent properties.

Accordingly, the invention includes polymers comprising structural units of the formula ##STR1## wherein:

R¹ is C₁₋₁₀ primary or secondary alkyl or aralkyl or a C₆₋₁₀ aromatic radical, and R² is C₁₋₁₀ primary or secondary alkyl or aralkyl or a C₆₋₁₀ aromatic radical, or R¹ and R² together with the atoms connecting them form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring;

R³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ primary or secondary alkyl;

R⁴ is an unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₆ alkylene or C₆₋₁₀ arylene radical;

R⁵ is hydrogen or methyl;

R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl or a C₆₋₁₀ aromatic radical;

X is a substantially inert linking group;

m is 0 or 1;

n is from 1 to 2-m; and

is 0 or 1.

An essential feature of the polymers of this invention is the presence of cyclic ortho ester moieties. The R¹ value therein may be a C₁₋₄ primary or secondary alkyl radical such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl or secondary butyl, or an aralkyl or aromatic radical as defined above. Any substituents should be non-reactive under the conditions of the invention; examples are halo, nitro and alkoxy. Unsubstituted primary radicals and especially the methyl radical are generally preferred.

The R² value may be a C₁₋₄ primary or secondary alkyl, aralkyl or aromatic radical as defined above for R¹. It is also possible for R¹ and R² together to form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring with the atoms connecting them. Thus, the invention includes compositions prepared from certain spiro ortho ester compounds.

The R³ radical may be hydrogen or an alkyl radical similar to R¹ and R². It is preferably hydrogen.

The R⁴ radical is an unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₆ alkylene radical, any substituents being inert to ortho ester formation and reaction with aryl chlorides; e.g., alkoxy. Preferably, R⁴ is methylene.

The R⁶ radical may be hydrogen, alkyl or aryl as previously defined. It is preferably hydrogen.

The X value may be any linking group which is substantially inert under the conditions of formation and polymerization of the cyclic ortho esters of the invention and copolymer formation from polymers thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that a wide variety of groups fit this description, and the invention is not limited in that respect. Suitable X groups include unsubstituted and substituted divalent aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic radicals and combinations thereof, any substituents being of the type previously described. Said radicals may be attached to other divalent radicals such as carbonyl, sulfone, carbamoyl, disubstituted silicon and alkyl- and arylphosphoryl. The preferred X groups have the formulas ##STR2##

The polymers of this invention include those of the type which may be prepared from acrylic and methacrylic acid esters, wherein X has formula II, as well as vinylbenzyl ethers, wherein X has formula III. Both vinyl-derived (R⁵ is hydrogen) and isopropenylderived (R⁵ is methyl) polymers are included; for example, polymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid esters. For the most part, R⁵ is preferably hydrogen when X has formula III.

The values of m and n depend on whether the cyclic ortho ester moiety is a 5-membered or 6-membered ring. In general, 5-membered rings are preferred; that is, m is 0 and n is 1. However, the invention also includes polymers in which a 6-membered ring is present, which requires either that m and n both be 1 or that m be 0 and n be 2.

Also included are polymers in which p is 0; that is, compounds not containing an R⁴ value. Most often, p will be 0 when the ortho ester ring is a 6-membered ring.

Many of the ethylenically unsaturated cyclic ortho esters which may be converted to the polymers of this invention are disclosed and claimed in copending, commonly owned application Ser. No. 07/645,179. Esters of this type may be prepared by the reaction of a hydroxy-substituted ortho ester of the formula ##STR3## wherein R¹⁻⁴, m, n and p are as previously defined, with a suitable reagent such as acryloyl chloride, methacryloyl chloride or a vinylbenzyl chloride. Said reaction takes place under conventional conditions. In the case of acryloyl chloride or methacryloyl chloride, it typically occurs in the presence of a tertiary amine as acid acceptor and in solution in a relatively non-polar organic solvent. The hydroxy-substituted ortho ester and acryloyl or methyacryloyl chloride may be employed in approximately equimolar amounts, or the chloride may be employed in slight excess. The amine is generally present in excess, to ensure neutralization of all the acidic by-product formed.

Reaction between the hydroxy-substituted ortho ester and vinylbenzyl chloride is also conducted under conventional conditions, typically in the presence of an alkaline reagent such as sodium hydroxide. Again, the hydroxy-substituted ortho ester and vinylbenzyl chloride may be employed in roughly equimolar amounts, or, in this case, an excess of the ortho ester may be employed. The molar proportion of base is generally about equal to that of ortho ester. No solvent is generally necessary, although one may be employed if desired.

The preparation of ethylenically unsaturated cyclic ortho esters is illustrated by the following examples. Molecular structures of all products in Examples 1-4 were confirmed by proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 1

A 5-liter 3-necked flask fitted with a mechanical stirrer, pressure equalizing addition funnel and nitrogen inlet was charged with 301 grams (2.03 moles) of 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, 514 grams (5.08 moles) of triethylamine and 2 liters of methylene chloride. The flask was immersed in an ice-water bath and 193.1 grams (2.13 moles) of acryloyl chloride was added over 50 minutes under nitrogen, with stirring. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and the filtrate was washed twice with 2-liter portions of water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and vacuum stripped. A free radical inhibitor, 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl sulfide, was added in the amount of 200 ppm. to the residue which was then distilled under vacuum. The desired 4-acryloyloxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane distilled at 80°-85° C./0.5-1.0 torr.

EXAMPLE 2

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated, employing 281 grams (1.9 moles) of 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, 481 grams (4.76 moles) of triethylamine and 199 grams (1.9 moles) of methacryloyl chloride. The product, 4-methacryloyloxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, was collected at 80° C./0.4 torr.

EXAMPLE 3

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated, employing 21 grams (100 mmol.) of 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane, 25.3 grams (250 mmol.) of triethylamine, 9.5 grams (105 mmol.) of acryloyl chloride and 150 ml. of methylene chloride. The crude product was purified by column chromatography over basic alumina, using 15% (by volume) ethyl acetate in hexane as an eluant, to yield the desired 4-acryloyloxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane.

EXAMPLE 4

A 4-necked 250-ml. round-bottomed flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a pressure equalizing addition funnel, a condenser and a thermometer was charged with 51.9 grams (350 ml.) of 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane and 14.01 grams (350 mmol.) of powdered sodium hydroxide. The slurry was stirred for 15 minutes under nitrogen, after which 41.1 grams (270 mmol.) of vinylbenzyl chloride (isomeric mixture) was added dropwise over 10 minutes. The mixture was heated to 80° C., whereupon an exothermic reaction took place which caused the temperature to rise to 140° C. The mixture was stirred overnight under nitrogen, diluted with 400 ml. of methylene chloride and 5 ml. of triethylamine and washed twice with 250 ml. of aqueous sodium chloride solution. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and vacuum stripped, and the residue was purified by column chromatography over basic alumina using a 2:1 (by volume) mixture of hexane and methylene chloride as eluant. There was obtained the desired isomeric mixture of 4-(2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolanyl)methyl vinylbenzyl ethers.

The polymers of this invention may be prepared by polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated cyclic ortho esters under free radical conditions, either alone or in the presence of other monomers. The term "polymer", as used herein, includes addition homopolymers and, especially, copolymers with one or more other monomers.

Polymerization by the free radical method may be effected in bulk, solution, suspension or emulsion, by contacting the monomer or monomers with a polymerization initiator either in the absence or presence of a diluent at a temperature of about 0°-200° C. Suitable initiators include benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, azobisisobutyronitrile, persulfate-bisulfite, persulfate-sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, chlorate-sulfite and the like. Alternatively, polymerization may be effected by irradiation techniques, as by ultraviolet, electron beam or plasma irradiation.

A large variety of polymerizable compounds can be used to form copolymers of this invention. They include the following:

(1) Unsaturated alcohols and esters thereof: Allyl, methallyl, crotyl, 1-chloroallyl, 2-chloroallyl, cinnamyl, vinyl, methylvinyl, 1-phenallyl and butenyl alcohols and esters of such alcohols with saturated acids such as acetic, phenylacetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, caproic and stearic; with unsaturated acids such as acrylic, α-substituted acrylic (including alkylacrylic, e.g., methacrylic, ethylacrylic, propylacrylic, etc. and arylacrylic such as phenylacrylic), crotonic, oleic, linolenic and linolenic; with polybasic acids such as oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, azelaic and sebacic; with unsaturated polybasic acids such as maleic, fumaric, citraconic, mesaconic, itaconic, methylenemalonic, acetylenedicarboxylic and aconitic; and with aromatic acids, e.g., benzoic, phthalic, terephthalic and benzoylphthalic acids.

(2) Unsaturated acids (examples of which appear above) and esters thereof with lower saturated alcohols, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylhexyl and cyclohexyl alcohols and with saturated lower polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol and trimethylolpropane.

(3) Unsaturated lower polyhydric alcohols, e.g., butenediol, and esters thereof with saturated and unsaturated aliphatic and aromatic, monobasic and polybasic acids, examples of which appear above.

(4) Esters of the above-described unsaturated acids, especially acrylic and methacrylic acids, with higher molecular weight monohydroxy and polyhydroxy materials such as decyl alcohol, isodecyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, epoxy resins and polybutadiene-derived polyols.

(5) Vinyl cyclic compounds including styrene, o-, m-, p-chlorostyrenes, bromostyrenes, fluorostyrenes, methylstyrenes, ethylstyrenes and cyanostyrenes; di-, tri- and tetrachlorostyrenes, bromostyrenes, fluorostyrenes, methylstyrenes, ethylstyrenes, cyanostyrenes; vinylnaphthalene, vinylcyclohexane, divinylbenzene, trivinylbenzene, allylbenzene and heterocycles such as vinylfuran, vinylpridine, vinylbenzofuran, N-vinyl carbazole, N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinyloxazolidone.

(6) Unsaturated ethers such as methyl vinyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, cyclohexyl vinyl ether, octyl vinyl ether, diallyl ether, ethyl methallyl ether and allyl ethyl ether.

(7) Unsaturated ketones, e.g., methyl vinyl ketone and ethyl vinyl ketone.

(8) Unsaturated amides, such as acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-phenylacrylamide, N-allylacrylamide, N-methylolacrylamide, N-allylcaprolactam and diacetone acrylamide.

(9) Unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, for instance, ethylene, propylene, butenes, butadiene, isoprene, 2-chlorobutadiene and α-olefins in general.

(10) Unsaturated alkyl halides, e.g., vinyl fluoride, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, vinylidene chloride, vinylidene bromide, allyl chloride and allyl bromide.

(11) Unsaturated acid anhydrides, e.g., maleic, citraconic, itaconic, bis-4-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic and bicyclo(2.2.1.)-5-heptene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydrides.

(12) Unsaturated nitriles, e.g., acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile and other substituted acrylonitriles.

Random addition polymers are within the scope of the invention, and copolymers with vinylaromatic compounds such as styrene are preferred. Also preferred are graft copolymers prepared by grafting the ethylenically unsaturated cyclic ortho esters on previously formed polymers. More preferably, said graft copolymers are copolymers comprising ethylene and propylene structural units; and still more preferably, copolymers also comprising structural units derived from at least one non-conjugated diene, said copolymers frequently being identified hereinafter as "EPDM copolymers". Such graft copolymers may be conveniently prepared by absorption of the ethylenically unsaturated ortho ester and a free radical polymerization catalyst on the EPDM copolymer followed by grafting, frequently effected by extrusion at a temperature in the range of about 150°-300° C.

The preparation of the copolymers of this invention is illustrated by the following examples. Molecular weights, when given, are weight average and were determined by gel permeation chromatography relative to polystyrene.

EXAMPLES 5-9

Mixtures of various ethylenically unsaturated ortho esters and 1 gram of 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane were premixed and combined with 1 kilogram of a commercially available EPDM copolymer containing about 83 mole percent ethylene and about 5.4 mole percent norbornene units. The blends were stored for about 16 hours at 20° C. to enable the ortho ester and polymerization initiator to be completely absorbed by the EPDM pellets, and were then extruded on a twin-screw extruder with zone set temperatures ranging from 120° to 205° C. The extrudates were cooled in a water bath, pelletized and dried in vacuum.

The proportion of the ethylenically unsaturated ortho ester grafted on the EPDM copolymer was determined by dissolving a sample of the graft copolymer in xylene at about 130° C., pouring the resulting solution into acetone and filtering and drying the purified copolymer, which was then analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Gel content was determined by continuous extraction with hot xylene for 48 hours followed by drying and weighing of the insoluble residue. The results are given in Table I, with all percentages being by weight.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                                    Example                                                                        5      6        7        8    9                                     ______________________________________                                         Ortho ester:                                                                   Example      1        1        1      2    3                                   Percent based on                                                                            0.3      1.0      3.0    1.0  1.3                                 EPDM copolymer                                                                 Amount grafted, %                                                                           >90      >90      >90    50   --                                  Gel, %       0        40       40     0    --                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10

A 5-liter 3-necked flask equipped with a reflux condenser and nitrogen purge means, a mechanical stirrer and a thermometer was charged with 936 grams (9 moles) of styrene, 960 ml. of methyl ethyl ketone, 960 mg. of azobisisobutyronitrile and 31 grams (150 mmol.) of the product of Example 1. The solution was purged with nitrogen for 30 minutes, after which it was heated at 70° C. under nitrogen for 15 hours. An additional 600 ml. of methyl ethyl ketone and 500 mg. of azobisisobutyronitrile were added and stirring and heating were continued at 70° C. for 4 hours. The solution was cooled to room temperature and poured into twice its volume of methanol, with rapid stirring. The precipitated product was filtered, slurried several times in methanol and refiltered, and vacuum dried at 60° C. for 48 hours. It was shown by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to be the desired copolymer of styrene and the ortho ester acrylate, containing 2.2 mole percent ortho ester groups. Its molecular weight was 102,000.

EXAMPLE 11

Following the procedure of Example 10, a polymer containing about 2.5 mole percent ortho ester groups was prepared by the reaction of 498 grams (4.79 moles) of styrene with 21.8 grams (108 mmol.) of the product of Example 1 in 346 ml. of toluene, using 5.2 grams of azobisisobutyronitrile. The reaction mixture was diluted with an additional 500 ml. of toluene prior to isolation of the product, which had a molecular weight of about 50,000.

EXAMPLE 12

Following the procedure of Example 11, a product containing 1.6 mole percent ortho ester groups was prepared by the reaction of 359 grams (3.45 moles) of styrene, 20 grams (76 mmol.) of the product of Example 4, 252 ml. of toluene and 3.79 grams of azobisisobutyronitrile. Its molecular weight was 58,000.

Certain polymers of this invention react with other polymers containing reactive groups, particularly those capable of nucleophilic substitution such as amine, hydroxy, thio and carboxy groups and functional derivatives thereof, to form copolymer-containing compositions. Included are copolymer-containing compositions with polymers otherwise incompatible with EPDM copolymers, including linear polyesters and polyamides. Such copolymer-containing compositions and the method for their preparation are disclosed and claimed in copending, commonly owned application Ser. No. 07/645,180.

By reason of the presence of the copolymer, said compositions are compatible and may be molded into articles having excellent physical properties. They are also useful for further compatibilizing blends of the two polymers to form molding compositions having similar excellent properties.

Polyesters suitable for preparing copolymer-containing compositions include those comprising structural units of the formula ##STR4## wherein each R⁶ is independently a divalent aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbon or polyoxyalkylene radical and A¹ is a divalent aromatic radical. Such polyesters include thermoplastic polyesters illustrated by poly(alkylene dicarboxylates), elastomeric polyesters, polyarylates, and polyester copolymers such as copolyestercarbonates. Because the principal reaction which occurs with the ortho ester groups involves a carboxylic acid group of the polyester, it is highly preferred that said polyester have a relatively high carboxylic end group concentration. Concentrations in the range of about 5-250 microequivalents per gram are generally suitable, with 20-150 microequivalents per gram being preferable and 20-80 being particularly desirable.

The polyester may include structural units of the formula ##STR5## wherein R⁶ is as previously defined, R⁷ is a polyoxyalkylene radical and A² is a trivalent aromatic radical. The A¹ radical in formula V is most often p- or m-phenylene or a mixture thereof, and A² in formula VI is usually derived from trimellitic acid and has the structure ##STR6##

The R⁶ radical may be, for example, a C₂₋₁₀ alkylene radical, a C₆₋₁₀ alicyclic radical, a C₆₋₂₀ aromatic radical or a polyoxyalkylene radical in which the alkylene groups contain about 2-6 and most often 4 carbon atoms. As previously noted, this class of polyesters includes the poly(alkylene terephthalates) and the polyarylates. Poly(alkylene terephthalates) are frequently preferred, with poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate) being most preferred.

The preferred polyesters are poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate), generally having a number average molecular weight in the range of about 20,000-70,000, as determined by intrinsic viscosity (IV) at 30° C. in a mixture of 60% (by weight) phenol and 40% 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.

Polyamides may also be employed for the formation of copolymer-containing compositions. Included are those prepared by the polymerization of a monoamino-monocarboxylic acid or a lactam thereof having at least 2 carbon atoms between the amino and carboxylic acid group, of substantially equimolar proportions of a diamine which contains at least 2 carbon atoms between the amino groups and a dicarboxylic acid, or of a monoaminocarboxylic acid or a lactam thereof as defined above together with substantially equimolar proportions of a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid. (The term "substantially equimolar" proportions includes both strictly equimolar proportions and slight departures therefrom which are involved in conventional techniques for stabilizing the viscosity of the resultant polyamides.) The dicarboxylic acid may be used in the form of a functional derivative thereof, for example, an ester or acid chloride.

Examples of the aforementioned monoamino-monocarboxylic acids or lactams thereof which are useful in preparing the polyamides include those compounds containing from 2 to 16 carbon atoms between the amino and carboxylic acid groups, said carbon atoms forming a ring containing the --CO--NH-- group in the case of a lactam. As particular examples of aminocarboxylic acids and lactams there may be mentioned ε-aminocaproic acid, butyrolactam, pivalolactam, ε-caprolactam, capryllactam, enantholactam, undecanolactam, dodecanolactam and 3- and 4-aminobenzoic acids.

Diamines suitable for use in the preparation of the polyamides include the straight chain and branched chain alkyl, aryl and alkaryl diamines. Illustrative diamines are trimethylenediamine, tetramethylenediamine, pentamethylenediamine, octamethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine (which is often preferred), trimethylhexamethylenediamine, m-phenylenediamine and m-xylylenediamine.

The dicarboxylic acids may be represented by the formula

    HOOC--Y--COOH

wherein Y is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic group containing at least 2 carbon atoms. Examples of aliphatic acids are sebacic acid, octadecanedioic acid, suberic acid, glutaric acid, pimelic acid and adipic acid.

Both crystalline and amorphous polyamides may be employed, with the crystalline species often being preferred by reason of their solvent resistance. Typical examples of the polyamides or nylons, as these are often called, include, for example, polyamide-6 (polycaprolactam), 66 (polyhexamethylene adipamide), 11, 12, 63, 64, 6/10 and 6/12 as well as polyamides from terephthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid and trimethylhexamethylenediamine; from adipic acid and m-xylylenediamines; from adipic acid, azelaic acid and 2,2-bis(p-aminophenyl)propane or 2,2-bis-(p-aminocyclohexyl)propane and from terephthalic acid and 4,4'-diaminodicyclohexylmethane. Mixtures and/or copolymers of two or more of the foregoing polyamides or prepolymers thereof, respectively, are also within the scope of the present invention. Preferred polyamides are polyamide-6, 46, 66, 11 and 12, most preferably polyamide-66.

For the preparation of copolymer-containing compositions, a blending method which results in the formation of an intimate blend is preferred. Suitable procedures include solution blending, although such procedures are of limited applicability to many polyesters and polyamides by reason of their insolubility in most common solvents. For this reason and because of the availability of melt blending equipment in commercial polymer processing facilities, melt reaction procedures are generally preferred. Conventional melt blending procedures and equipment may be employed, with extrusion often preferred because of its relative convenience and particular suitability. Typical reaction temperatures are in the range of about 175°-350° C.

Those skilled in the art will be familiar with blending methods and apparatus capable of intimately blending resinous constituents, especially by kneading. They are exemplified by discpack processors and various types of extrusion equipment. Illustrations of the latter are continuous mixers; single screw kneading extruders; counterrotating, non-intermeshing twin screw extruders having screws which include forward-flighted compounders, cylindrical bushings and/or left-handed screw elements; corotating, intermeshing twin screw extruders; and extruders having screws which include at least one and preferably at least two sections of kneading block elements.

In addition to copolymer, the copolymer-containing compositions may also contain unreacted polyester, polyamide or the like. In any event, molded parts produced from said compositions are generally ductile and have higher impact strengths, tensile strengths and/or tensile elongations than those produced from simple blends, which are incompatible and often exhibit brittleness or delamination.

There may also be present in the copolymer-containing compositions conventional ingredients such as fillers, flame retardants, pigments, dyes, stabilizers, anti-static agents, crystallization aids, mold release agents and the like, as well as resinous components not previously discussed including auxiliary impact modifying polymers.

The proportions of ortho ester polymer, other polymer and other resinous materials are not critical; they may be widely varied to provide compositions having the desired properties. Most often, the ortho ester polymer is employed in an amount in the range of about 5-95%, preferably about 5-65%, of the composition by weight.

In addition to forming copolymer-containing compositions that act as compatibilizers in the manner described hereinabove, various copolymers of this invention and especially random copolymers with styrene can compatibilize blends of other, largely dissimilar polymers in which they are incorporated, as disclosed and claimed in copending, commonly owned application Ser. No. [RD-21061].

The preparation of copolymer-containing compositions from the polymers of this invention is illustrated by the following examples. All percentages are by weight.

EXAMPLES 13-20

Dry blends comprising ortho ester-grafted EPDM copolymers and poly(butylene terephthalate) were prepared and extruded at temperatures in the range of 250° C. The extrudates were desired copolymer-containing compositions; they were pelletized, dried and molded into test specimens which were tested for tensile strength and elongation (ASTM procedure D638) and notched Izod impact strength (ASTM procedure D256).

The results are given in Tables II and III, in comparison with five controls employing (A-D) a blend prepared from unfunctionalized EPDM copolymer, and (E) a blend prepared from EPDM copolymer similarly grafted with 3% glycidyl methacrylate.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Example       Control  Control                                                 13    14      15      A      E                                        ______________________________________                                         Polyester, parts                                                                          50      50      50    50     50                                     Ortho ester-                                                                   grafted EPDM:                                                                  Example    5       6       8     --     --                                     Parts      50      50      50    50     50                                     Tensile strength,                                                                         16.9    24.2    17.3  13.9   18.5                                   MPa.                                                                           Tensile elonga-                                                                           240     370     290   65     230                                    tion, %                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                                   Example          Control                                                       16  17     18     19    20   B   C   D                               ______________________________________                                         Polyester, parts                                                                           95    90     80   95    90   95  90  80                            Ortho ester-grafted                                                            EPDM:                                                                          Example      6     6      6   9      9   --  --  --                            Parts        5    10     20   5     10    5  10  20                            Impact strength,                                                                           64    641    849  264   844  27  32  53                            joules/m.                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

From Table II, it is apparent that copolymer-containing compositions prepared from the EPDM copolymers of this invention have substantially higher tensile strengths and tensile elongations than the control employing an unfunctionalized EPDM copolymer. They also have tensile strengths and elongations which are comparable to or greater than those of the control employing an EPDM copolymer grafted with a substantially higher proportion of glycidyl methacrylate. From Table III, it is apparent that each of the compositions prepared from the polymers of this invention has a higher impact strength, and the products of Examples 17-20 a substantially higher impact strength, than those of the controls.

EXAMPLE 21

Following the procedure of Example 14, a similar blend was prepared in which the poly(butylene terephthalate) was replaced by a copolyester prepared from 1,4-butanediol and a 0.91:1 (by weight) mixture of dimethyl terephthalate and a dimide-diacid reaction product of trimellitic acid and a polyoxypropylenediamine having an average molecular weight of about 200. Said blend had a tensile strength of 10.5 MPa. and a tensile elongation of 435%. A control in which the ortho ester-grafted EPDM copolymer was replaced by an EPDM copolymer grafted with 3% glycidyl methacrylate had a tensile strength of 7.7 MPa. and a tensile elongation of 505%. Again, it is apparent that the graft copolymers of this invention may be employed at substantially lower levels of functionalization than corresponding glycidyl methacrylate graft copolymers, to obtain properties of the same order of magnitude. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A polymer comprising structural units of the formula ##STR7## wherein: R¹ is C₁₋₁₀ primary or secondary alkyl or aralkyl or a C₆₋₁₀ aromatic radical, and R² is C₁₋₁₀ primary or secondary alkyl or aralkyl or a C₆₋₁₀ aromatic radical, or R¹ and R² together with the atoms connecting them form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring;R³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ primary or secondary alkyl; R⁴ is an unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₆ alkylene or C₆₋₁₀ arylene radical; R⁵ is hydrogen or methyl; R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl or a C₆₋₁₀ aromatic radical; X is a substantially inert linking group; m is 0 or 1; n is from 1 to 2-m; and p is 0 or
 1. 2. A polymer according to claim 1 wherein each of R¹ and R² is alkyl.
 3. A polymer according to claim 2 wherein m is 0 and n is
 1. 4. A polymer according to claim 3 wherein R³ and R⁶ are each hydrogen.
 5. A polymer according to claim 4 wherein p is
 1. 6. A polymer according to claim 5 which is a random addition polymer.
 7. A polymer according to claim 6 which is a copolymer with styrene.
 8. A polymer according to claim 5 which is a graft copolymer.
 9. A polymer according to claim 8 which is a graft copolymer on a previously formed copolymer of ethylene and propylene.
 10. A polymer according to claim 9 wherein R² is methyl or phenyl.
 11. A polymer according to claim 10 wherein R⁴ is methylene.
 12. A polymer according to claim 11 which is a graft copolymer on a copolymer comprising structural units derived from ethylene, propylene and at least one non-conjugated diene.
 13. A polymer according to claim 12 wherein X is ##STR8##
 14. A polymer according to claim 13 wherein R² is methyl.
 15. A polymer according to claim 13 wherein R² is phenyl.
 16. A polymer according to claim 13 wherein R⁵ is hydrogen.
 17. A polymer according to claim 13 wherein R⁵ is methyl.
 18. A polymer according to claim 12 wherein X is ##STR9##
 19. A polymer according to claim 18 wherein R² is methyl.
 20. A polymer according to claim 18 wherein R² is phenyl.
 21. A polymer according to claim 18 wherein R⁵ is hydrogen. 